Venue : Johannesburg
May 24, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

I had no reason to wake up to write this post today..My team has lost . But everything is not bad, as India has woken up to another serious find in Manish Pandey. The 19 year old has been exciting and it will be great to see if the occasion gets to him or not as the Royal Challengers take on Deccan Chargers in the big final of IPL 2009.

Lots of people to watch out for today - Gilchrist, Rohit Sharma and RP Singh from the Chargers and Manish Pandey, Ross Taylor and Kumble on the Bangalore side.

This match also underlines one important philosophy of life - You never remain losers (unless you are KKR) all the time. As we watch the bottom-rungers of IPL 2008 take on in the finals of IPL 2009, let me finish this post with the cliche that every cricket fan utters when his own team is gone - “Whoever wins today, Cricket is the winner”..

Venue : Johannesburg
May 23, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

What a match it was yesterday! Gilly simply pulled the match away from Delhi’s clutches and with that it is only the South Indian triad that still stands in the fray. Today, the formidable Super Kings take on the rejuvenated Royal Challengers.

It will be a great irony of sorts if the Royal Challengers indeed win over the Super Kings in this one. Then, we would have two teams that finished last in the previous edition taking the first two spots this year. But that would be too difficult a task given how formidable Chennai is, and with Hayden, Morkel and Hussey among those available for selection, this should be an all too easy task for Chennai to get done with.

Good luck Super Kings!

Venue : Pretoria
May 22, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

So..Here we are! Semifinal # 1 - The Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers. So fitting this one because both these teams were so early set into the winning mode, and both looked like potential champions from the first day of this season. But while Deccan’s Charge slowed down as the tournament progressed, Delhi have been true daredevils. But this one is anyone’s game.

Sehwag is back in form and should be raring to go. Will Deccan feel charged up after their loss yesterday or will feel the pinch and get bogged down under pressure to come back. Just a few hours to go guys…May Deccan show Delhi the way..OUT

Venue : Pretoria
May 21, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

What a way to finish the league stage! A match that can decide who gets to play in the semifinals, not that it will since the Royal Challengers have to pull off one of the worst victories in order to concede the fourth spot to Kings XI Punjab. But statistically speaking, that is still possible and hence this match is a wonderful way to bring an end to what has been an amazing league stage of IPL!

Venue : Pretoria
May 21, 2009 @ 4 PM IST

It cannot get more insignificant than this, and this has been one of those very few insignificant matches this IPL. Delhi Daredevils are already in and Mumbai Indians are already out. If you would want to see the Master in action before he slips out of the team for the ICC T20 world cup and T20 mode, here is one last chance. Otherwise, don’t bother.

Venue : Durban
May 20, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

Chennai surely did not deserve the state they are in, considering that they won five matches on a trot and were looking virtually unbeatable. They are still close to being through to the semis (even if they lose today),since it will take more than just a big victory for Rajasthan to overtake them in the points table. It is a do or die match for the Punjab XI who must win this to make it to the semifinals. Looking forward to the Sivamani beat tonight!

Venue : Durban
May 20, 2009 @ 4 PM IST

Here we enter the penultimate day of the league stage. And know what, there are still three semifinal spots up for grabs! This has been the most exciting aspect of this season of IPL. So, what can get Rajasthan Royals in? One of the spot is taken either by the Deccan Chargers or the Royal Challengers. In the event of Chennai winning over Kings XI Punjab, and Rajasthan defeating Kolkata Knight Riders today, they are directly through.

If Kings XI Punjab manage to defeat Chennai (and Rajasthan still winning the match today), then it comes down to the Net Run Rate in which case, Chennai will have its go looking at the present situation since Rajasthan is well below Chennai in NRR. So, the only option left is to win and win it big. And Kolkata, coming from their terrific win over Chennai will not be any easy pushover. Good Luck Rajasthan!

Venue : Johannesburg
May 19, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

Delhi Daredevils play Ross Taylor Royal Challengers and this one sure is going to be a battle between the batsmen from both the teams. Sehwag will be keen on improving his batting performance while RCB will be looking for yet another terrific showdown by Ross Taylor. Ultimately, as in most of the IPL matches this season, the team with the better bowling and fielding shall win.

Venue : Pretoria
May 18, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

The Super Kings are through to the semis. But that wouldn’t stop them from continuing with their momentum and keep winning matches. After all, a loss to KKR here would mean a huge blow to confidence and team morale. The Knight Riders gave a really tough fight to the Deccan Chargers last time and I did feel a tinge of sympathy for Brendon. Anyway, when Dada is sidelined, these things are bound to happen. May we see a formality match here.

Venue : Bloemfontein
May 17, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

The fiftieth match of IPL 2009. What a season this has been and there cannot be a more exciting match than this one. Delhi Daredevils might be through to the semis, but that does not warranty a break of momentum at this stage of the contest. Will Warnie play one more before retiring the fate of his team to destiny? This one is a nail biter…I pray for the Royals to win..That would add to the excitement..